The Saphead

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Nick M 11/24/2024 This is Buster Keaton's first feature film, and it's credited as being the one that truly made him a star. After watching it, I can absolutely see why. The picture itself has a solid plot; it would be enjoyable in and of itself without any star billing (though it does have some defects here and there). But my God - Keaton is sensational. His character hasn't two brain cells to rub together, but his heart of gold more than makes up for it. And his portrayal is beyond captivating - it's magical. This isn't your classic nineteen teens comedy where the narrative takes a back seat to the gags. No, this is a modern film where everything is in service to (or incidental to) the story. Somehow, that makes it even more engaging. Moreover, while most actors would attempt to walk the emotive line between under- and overplaying, Buster Keaton's face barely registers an emotion during the entire picture. This makes his character even more endearing, and compels us to feel *for* him. I cannot recommend this one more highly based on his performance alone. There are some glaring holes in the plot that perhaps drag it down to subpar per se, but Keaton is a revelation. His blend of innocent charm, physical comedy, and unassuming earnestness catapults him into a class all his own. I am shocked to read some of the other reviews that consider this one of his worst pictures. I am surveying historical cinema chronologically, and I have to say that I couldn't be more impressed when comparing it to work from other artists from this year. After this performance, I think that he's now my favorite over Chaplin in the pure comedy genre for this period. See more 09/29/2012 The naivete of Keaton's Bernie provides some good reactionary laughs, but overall the film is adequate at best. See more 02/19/2012 Keaton`s first feature film really sees him out of his usual style. There is some physical comedy here but not even near what he does in a 18 minute short. See more eric b 10/24/2011 "The Saphead" isn't a bad film, but it will frustrate Buster Keaton fans. Despite its farcical title, it barely even qualifies as a comedy. Ineffectual Bertie (Keaton, starring in his first feature) is a stock character -- the rich, pampered dandy who is pushed into the real world and must prove his mettle. And, of course, he's shy to tell a sweetheart that he loves her. Really, this seems like more of a Harold Lloyd vehicle. The other plot thread involves Mark (Irving Cummings), a struggling employee of Bertie's tycoon father who conspires to steal the family fortune via stock-market shenanigans. Much of the story hangs on a contrived coincidence that a valuable mine and Mark's mistress happen to share the same name (Henrietta). The script's complexity (particularly its financial element) tests the limits of silent film -- "The Saphead" is adapted from a play, and would have worked better as a talkie. Keaton had acted in numerous shorts by this time (often playing second fiddle to Fatty Arbuckle), but hadn't quite found his niche yet. He actually smiles in one scene (gasp) and has little chance for physical comedy until a climatic sequence on the stock-exchange floor. Any Keaton silent demands to be seen, but don't raise your expectations too high about this one. See more 09/03/2010 This is probably one of Keaton's worst movies. See more 05/13/2009 I watched this film as it was part of ‘The Art Of Buster Keaton’ box set. The film however, is as much a Buster Keaton film as King Kong is a Fay Wray film, and that is to say, not very much. Keaton was only one of many actor in The Saphead, and he never thought very highly of the film. I have to agree with Buster on this one. The film never really knows if it’s comedy or melodrama, and save for a few minutes at the stock market, is generally uninteresting. See more Read all reviews

The Saphead

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